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ONLINE APPLICATION for It Takes Roots Delegation to Paris

It Takes Roots to Weather the Storm Delegation

Grassroots Global Justice (GGJ) Alliance is organizing a delegation of GGJ, Climate Justice Alliance (CJA), and Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) members and a limited group of additional U.S. social movement representatives for the COP21 Climate Justice Mobilizations in Paris.

The delegation travel dates are Thursday, December 3 (arriving in Paris December 4th) to Sunday, December 13, 2015. GGJ will purchase flights, provide logistical coordination, political preparation, registration fee, interpretation for GGJ programming, local public transit support in Paris, and lodging, on average adding up to $3500 per delegate. Delegates will be required to raise $500 toward these costs, and cover the additional per diem cost for lunch and dinner (approximately $40-50 per day). GGJ will offer fundraising support and mechanisms to help delegates to raise these funds.

As the effects of climate change continue to hit peak levels of catastrophe, global leaders have been promising a new climate agreement through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP). From failing to sign the Kyoto Accord (1992), to undermining efforts for binding agreements at COP15 in Copenhagen (2009), the US has been playing a contradictory dual role of both moving forward a minimal level of climate action while assuring that the interests of transnational corporate polluters are protected. The insufficient pledges made by the US in Copenhagen in 2009, in addition to the pushing of false solutions such as carbon market, carbon trading and offset mechanisms, set a precedent that continues today. In December 2014, weeks before the COP20 convened in Lima, Peru the US and China announced a bilateral agreement that provides a weak foundation for a new UN climate agreement and sets the stage for a non-transparent and non-enforceable plan for cutting Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The China-US deal dashed whatever small hopes existed that the COP20 would deliver an outcome to slow the mounting crisis.

This year, the COP21 will take place in Paris, France from November 30-December 11, 2015. We already know that the agreement on the table in Paris is not bold enough or enforceable, nor does it reach the scale and pace needed to avert global catastrophe. In order to achieve the policy shifts we need for the long-term, even the best inside strategies will not be strong enough if we are not organizing powerful, grassroots pressure on the outside as well. There is a promising, growing unity of social movements at the global scale led by the people most impacted by climate change, who are pressuring governments for more meaningful action, often while implementing their own real solutions on the ground and planning for how vulnerable communities can best survive severe impacts of climate change.

GGJ has identified 5 core demands targeting the US role in the COP21 and calling on President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and US lead negotiator Todd Stern to make binding commitments in response to both science and the demands of frontline communities to:

Strengthen the inclusion of human rights and particularly the rights of Indigenous Peoples

Support Community-Rooted Solutions; including regional and local economic structures that support the production of renewable energy

It will be critical in 2015 to build up the momentum and escalate actions so that by the time we get to Paris, there is consistent pressure from a worldwide movement calling for serious action by governments, rejection of carbon market mechanisms such as REDD+ and other carbon offsets and radical emission cuts. But the battle will not end in Paris, and movements are already making long-term plans to keep up the momentum and share strategies through North-North, North-South, and South-South exchanges, national and international joint strategy sessions and collective action in the streets of Paris.

Grassroots Global Justice, the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Climate Justice Alliance and others are joining together to bring 50-75 frontline community leaders to Paris as the It Takes Roots to Weather the Storm delegation. As frontline communities inside the US, we have a critical role to play in bringing forward the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis and increasing the pressure on the US delegation around the reliance on dangerous technologies & false solutions like carbon markets. REDD+, Fracking, and Nuclear power, and uniting to strategize effective solutions to the climate crisis, and to develop plans for action through Paris and beyond.

We are seeking to build a cohort of GGJ, IEN and CJA leaders who through their participation in the COP21 Climate Justice Mobilizations in Paris will help advance active Climate Justice campaigns and organizing programs. Additionally, we seek organizers that can be instrumental in furthering grassroots internationalism and movement building.

Participants in the delegation will:

Gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP), and what is at stake in the newest proposed global climate agreement

Share information about their local work, Our Power Campaign, the World March of Women, Black Lives Matter, and reflections on the state of the movement in the US. They will also have opportunities lift up examples of the growing just transition work and local alternative solutions to the climate crisis.

Engage with social movement leaders from around the world who have played key roles in fighting harmful policies and practices, while advancing solutions from the ground up.

Deepen relationships with other delegates within GGJ, CJA, and IEN through collective practice and leadership development opportunities during our preparation and throughout Paris mobilizations.

Play a role in anchoring GGJ, CJA, and IEN’s presence at the COP21 Mobilizations by (1) co-leading activities at the Global Village of Alternatives Dec 5-6th, (2) participating in marches and direct actions led by close allies including La Via Campesina and the World March of Women, and/or (3) engaging in relationship building activities with members of ally organizations including Climate Space, Coalition Climat 21, La Via Campesina, Alternatiba, the World March of Women and others.

Have an opportunity to work with international social movement allies in shaping global organizing strategies to address the intersecting challenges of global capitalism, the extractive economy, and the climate and economic crises.

Have opportunities to participate in a number of direct actions and street mobilizations that will be a large component of the Paris mobilizations at various levels of risk and engagement from legal observation to civil disobedience.

Priority for travel stipend selection:

Active GGJ member organizations who are current in their Dues.

Active CJA Member Organizations.

Grassroots organizations active in Climate Justice Work.

Organizations who are active in the World March of Women

Criteria for delegate selection:

Delegates must agree to honor deadlines, participate in all prep sessions prior to traveling to Paris and continue to be present in briefings, orientations and strategy discussions during the COP21 It Takes Roots delegation, and be in communication with staff and other delegates.

Delegates must commit to represent political framework, affiliation, and program of the It Takes Roots Joint GGJ, CJA, and IEN delegation within the COP21 Mobilizations events and actions. Delegates will be representing your organization, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance and the It Takes Roots delegation.

Delegates must commit to fundraising $500 to help offset the costs of the delegation.

GGJ Member Organizations must be in good standing in terms of dues for 2015.

Delegates must commit to helping organize the report back to the membership and their organization/ community and build on the momentum of the COP21 It Takes Roots delegation towards the work of their alliance in 2015.

Delegates (or their organizations) will be expected to cover financial costs of lunch and dinner throughout the delegation (approximately $40-50 per day). Lite Breakfast will be provided through our lodging.

Delegates should anticipate working long hours, attending late night and early morning meetings, enjoying lodging in a modern hostel with shared rooms and shared bathrooms, and language challenges.

Delegates must have the support and buy-in of their organization to fully participate in the delegation and It Takes Roots Delegation activities after the trip.

For this delegation, GGJ will prioritize organizations who are active participants in either the Our Power Campaign, the World March of Women Development Committee, the Just Transition Assemblies, or the Coordinating Committee.

Travel Information

You will need a current passport with 2 blank pages in it for an entry/exit stamp. Holders of a U.S. passport are not required to obtain a visa. If your passport is not a U.S. passport, please inform GGJ staff immediately when you apply for the delegation and research what the visa requirements are for France from the country your passport is from.

Stipend Information

GGJ will cover the costs of core transportation, logistics and program expenses

For It Takes Roots Delegates, GGJ will cover Flights, Lodging, Local public transportation in Paris, Translation (French/English), Coordination of overall delegation.

GGJ will be purchasing flights by no later than mid-October, with a cap of $1500 per ticket.

GGJ will arrange accommodations that are simple, clean and safe for the whole delegation.

Each delegate is requested to raise $500 toward these costs.

GGJ will NOT be paying for meals

The cost for that will be about $40 - 50 per day (breakfast is included in the lodging)

Delegates will have the option to use their fundraising page/efforts to raise money for this if you pass above $500. GGJ will send the check to your organization for your additional money raised before the delegation begins if you raise these funds before Thursday November 12th. If you raise the money after Nov 12th, we will send that additional money to your organization after the delegation returns on Thursday December 17th.

GGJ will fund a maximum of 2 people per organization.

This delegation is open to GGJ and CJA organizations. Other applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

If your organization is applying for more than 2 delegates, these will also be considered on a case by case basis. Please list those additional people in the application. Your organization would need to cover the full cost for these additional delegates. GGJ will make every effort to provide logistical support for these additional self-funded delegates (lodging, translation, political prep, etc). Organizations will need to reimburse GGJ for lodging and other costs incurred. The deadline for these delegates participation in the ITR delegation is the same. We will have a waiting list for additional delegates to see if we are able to provide any financial support for these additional delegates.